Kalashnikov's kamikaze drone is built to explode on impact

Kalashnikov's KUB-UAV drone is designed to explode on impact(Credit: Kalashnikov)

Kalashnikov is undoubtedly best known for its AK-47, but these days the Russian manufacturing giant has its fingers in all sorts of pies. Joining a hoverbike, an electric all-terrain motorbike and a retro-inspired electric car in its portfolio of future-focused projects is a sacrificial military drone designed crash into the ground, taking targets down remotely with it on impact.

The fixed-wing drone was developed together with fellow Russian aerial vehicle outfit Zala Aero Group and has been dubbed KUB-UAV. Describing it as a "high-precision attack unmanned aerial system," Kalashnikov says the aircraft is designed to remotely destroy ground targets by delivering a presumably explosive 3-kg (6.6 lb) payload to a set of coordinates or an imaged target.

Kalashnikov also says the kamikaze-style drone will be highly accurate, capable of hidden launches and operate in silence. It is designed to fly for up to 30 minutes at speeds of 80 to 130 km/h (50 to 80 mph). It measures 121 x 95 x 16.5 cm (47 x 37 x 6.5 in) and has apparently been successfully tested and is ready for use.

"The charge on this complex is delivered to the target, regardless of its secrecy and terrain, at both small and at high altitudes," says Sergey Chemezov, CEO of corporation Rostec, which holds a majority stake in Kalashnikov. "This is a very accurate and most effective weapon that is very difficult to fight with using traditional air defense systems. "

While Kalashnikov hasn't offered images of the drone or details of its cost or availability, it has put together an unnerving video of it in action with Zala Aero, which can be viewed below.